The AC Milan centre-back was caught by an elbow inside the opening minute of Sweden's 1-0 win, with Cakir not booking

Turkish official Cakir did not even book the Swedish forward for his involvement in the clash, while Bonucci managed to play the full game in spite of his injury.

“He broke my nose after 30 seconds and should’ve been sent off. There’s not much you can say other than that," Bonucci told Sky Sport Italia.

"A referee with greater character would’ve sent off at least one of the Swedish players.

“We knew Sweden would play the long ball and flick it on, so they created very little, but we should’ve been quicker when moving the ball around.

“We have to believe in what we’re doing to the last moment of the second leg at San Siro on Monday."

Substitute Jakob Johansson's deflected goal in the 61st minute secured the Swedes a slim lead to take into the return fixture at the San Siro in Milan, where the Azzurri will be forced to play without playmaker Marco Verratti after he picked up a booking that triggered an automatic one-match ban.

Italy on the brink of missing World Cup after Sweden defeat

Italy face failing to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1958 after substitute Jakob Johansson gave Sweden a 1-0 first-leg lead in their play-off encounter.